Portable card punch device



May 10, 1966 A. w. STEWART PORTABLE CARD PUNCH DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 22, 1964 INVENTOR.

y 0, 1966 A. w. STEWART 3,250,166

PORTABLE CARD PUNCH DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet B INVENTORy 966 A. w. STEWART 3,250,166

PORTABLE CARD PUNCH DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR.

QXQQ MX N m United States Patent 3,250,166 PORTABLE CARD PUNCH DEVICEAlfred W. Stewart, New Paltz, N .Y. (107 Boulevard, Mountain Lakes, NJ.07046) Filed Jan. 22, 1964, Ser. No. 339,429 Claims. ((31. 83-214) apunch apparatus for use on conventional data processing punch cardswhich is portable and which will readily fit into a pocket or briefcase.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable punch apparatuswhich is versatile and asprecise and accurate as the conventionalnon-portable punch'apparatus.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable punchapparatus which will expedite the processing of data normally entered ondata processing punch cards.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a portablepunch apparatus which will make it pos sible to enter data onconventional punch cards without requiring the transfer of theinformation from handwritten records.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a portable punch apparatuswhich is relatively inexpensive, simple in design, rugged inconstruction and easy to use.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention,reference may be had to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of a portable punch card device andshowing data processing punch cards before and after passing through thedevice;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom perspective view thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view through the lines 3.-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a top perspective view of the key mechanism assembly;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded perspective view of one of the punch elementsemployed in the key mechanism assembly illustrated in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the punch card ad- 88 of FIGURE 2,showing the card adjustable stop mechanism; and

FIGURE 9 is a top perspective view of the card adjustable stopmechanism. Referring now to the drawings in detail, the numeral 10represents a portable punch card apparatus according to the presentinvention wherein there is a housing 11 comprised of a case 12 and acover 13 which are attached together by means of screws 14, and whichenclose a central compartment 15 for containing therein the mechanismassembly 16 for selectively punching openings 17 into data processingpunch cards 18. The case 12 has a punch card receiving opening 19 on oneside, and a punch card outlet opening 20 on the opposite side, therebyallowing the punch card to travel through the compartment during thepunching operation.

The mechanism assembly 16 comprises a punch assembly unit 21, a keymechanism assembly 22, advancing roller assembly 23, an advancing rollerdrive mechanism 24 and a card adjustable stop mechanism 77.

.in the same direction.

3,250,166 Patented May 10, 1966 ICC The punch assembly unit 21 includesa longitudinal block 25 provided with a plurality of spaced apartvertical openmgs 26 of rectangular cross sectional configuration,extending through the block, for slidably receiving therein a pluralityof punch elements 27, each having a rectangular shank 28 and an enlargedhead 30. A compression coil spring 31 is fitted around each shankbetween the head and the upper side 32 of the block normally urging eachpunch element upwardly. A space 33 is provided below the block throughwhich punch card 18 may pass. An anvil 34 immediately therebelow isprovided with openings 35 to receive the lowermost ends of the punchelement shanks during the'punching operation. Enlarged openings 36immediately therebelow in the case are provided to allow punchings fromthe cards to be disposed of from inside the housing.

The key mechanism assembly 22 includes a pair of end plates 37 onopposite sides of the compartment between which there are supportedcross shafts 38 and 39. A plurality of levers 40 and 41 are attachedpivota'bly free at one end to cross shafts 38 and 39 respectively, theopposite ends of the levers resting on a U-shaped lever 42 which ismounted pivotably free on pins 43 mounted in each end plate 37. Betweeneach opposite end, each of the levers bears against the top of one ofthe punch element heads 30. A plurality of openings 44 are providedthrough cover 13 and slidable keys 45 extend there tional key 49provided with the legend space on its head 50 extends through the caseand rests on a platform 51 affixed to the U-shaped lever 42. v

A pair of additional shafts 52 and 53 are mounted pivotably free betweenthe end plates, each of the shafts having a pair of rollers 54 afiixedthereupon in a position so that the rollers engage the upper side 55 ofthe punch card relatively near the side edges thereof. Leaf springs 56are mounted on the bottom Wall 57 of the case and bear upwardly againstthe underside 58 of the punch card immediately below each roller.Grooved guides 59 are mounted on wall 57 near each roller for thepurpose of receiving therein the edges 60 of the punch card and guidingit during its travel through the compartment. Gears 61 and 62 are fixedon each of the shafts 52 and 53, and an idler gear 63 mounted on pin 64meshes therebetween the gears 61 and 62, thus transmitting motion andcausing the shafts 52 and 53 to turn at the same time All the rollersrotate together in the same direction to advance the punch card.

Leaf springs 56 provide asurface for the card to slide upon and becausethey are springs they provide loading between the rollers 54 and the topsurface of a card in position.

A ratchet gear 65 is additionally fixed on shaft 52, and a pawl 66mounted .pivotably free at the end of a rocker arm 67 is urged by aspring 68 into engagement normally therewith. The opposite end of thearm 67 is mounted pivotably free on a pin 69 aflixed in one of the endplates. Between its opposite ends the arm is mounted pivotably free on apin 70 afiixed to one of the leg elements 71 of the U-shaped lever 42. Astop pawl 72 is urged by spring 73 to prevent reverse rotation of theratchet gear. Stops 74 and 75 are provided to limit the travel of therocker arm and as a result the respective amount of travel between pawl66 and the ratchet gear will in turn limit the advance of the punch cardto a single digit on the numerical scale 76 on the punch card.

A card stop mechanism 77 serves to arrest the forward edge 78 of thepunch card for the purpose of aligning the punch with a preselecteddigit column on the numerical scale 76. The mechanism includes a slot 79having a counter-slot 80 in which a slide 81 is movable. A scale 82 onthe underside 83 of bottom wall 57 indicates digit units on the scale 76of the punch card, and an arrow 84 on the slide serves to align theslide with the scale 82. A screw 85 extending through the slide, theslot 79 and a block 86 on the upper side of the bottom wall serves tosecure the slide in a selected position. A leaf spring 87 attached tothe block 86 has an upturned lip 89 that engages the forward edge 78 ofthe card. A button 90 having an enlarged head 91 and an upstanding shank92 bears against the underside of spring 87 to maintain properrelationship of lip 89 to the punch card so as to serve as a card stopwhen the button is pressed, but which will return to its normal positionunder the force of spring 87 to allow the card to override the same whenthe button is not pressed.

On operative use, the card is inserted into the housing to the selectedposition on scale 76, and the desired keys are depressed. When the keybearing the legend space is depressed, the U-shaped lever is pivoteddownwardly about pins 43. At the same time the rocker arm is pivoteddownwardly about pin 69. At the lowermost position of the U-shaped leverand the rocker arm, the pawl 66 engages under one of the teeth of theratchet gear. When the key is released, the U-shaped lever and therocker arm pivot upwardly again and at the same time the pawl rotatesthe ratchet gear causing the rollers to advance the punch card onedigit. When one of the keys designating a numeral is depressed, the sameoperation as above occurs, except that upon the downward movement of thekey, the selected lever 40 or 41 is additionally depressed causing thelever topush down on the respective punch element 27 which causesopening 17 to be punched into the card.

Thus, a portable card punching device has been provided having theversatility and accuracy of a large, nonportable card punchingapparatus.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shallbe understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope ofthe present invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a portable card punching device for punching holes in a card, thecombination of a housing comprising a case and cover, a compartmentwithin said housing, an inlet opening and an outlet opening in said casefor allowing said card to travel through said compartment, alongitudinal block within said compartment, a plurality of verticalrectangular openings through said block, a punch element within each ofsaid openings, each of said punch elements comprising a rectangularshank, an enlarged head at the end of said shank,,a compression coilspring around said shank between said head and said block, a spacemember under said block to receive said card, an anvil under said space,said anvil having rectangular openings therethrough in alignment withsaid openings in said block, a pair of spaced apart end plates, a pairof parallel shafts between said end plates, at plurality of levers, oneend of each of said levers freely pivoted on either one of said shafts,said levers extending across said heads of said punch elements,theopposite ends of said levers resting on a U-shaped lever mountedpivotably free at its terminal end within said case, a plurality offirst keys extending outwardly above said housing, each of said firstkeys resting on one of said levers, a second key resting on a platformaffixed to said U- shaped lever, an advancing roller assembly for movingsaid card through said compartment, an advancing roller drive mechanismfor driving said roller assembly and a card adjustable stop mechanismfor halting movement of said card.

2. In a portable card punching device, the combination as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said advancing roller assembly comprises a pair of crossshafts between said end plates, a pair of rollers on each of said crossshafts, a gear on each of said cross shafts, and an idler gear betweenand in engagement with said gears.

3. In a portable card punching device, the combination as set forth inclaim 2 wherein said advancing roller drive mechanism comprises aratchet gear on one of said cross shafts, a pawl in engagement with saidratchet gear, said pawl being carried pivotably free on one end of arocker arm, the opposite end of said rocker arm being attached pivotablyfree on a pin mounted on one of said end plates, and said rocker armbetween its opposite ends being attached pivotably free to said U-shapedlever.

4. In a portable card punching device, the combination as set forth inclaim 3 wherein said card adjustable stop mechanism comprises a slotthrough the bottom of said case, a slide under said slot, a block aboutsaid slot, a screw through said slide, slot and block, said blockcarrying a leaf spring having an upturned lip for abutment with theforward edge of said card, and a button within said slide extendingthrough said slot and abutting the bottom side of said leaf spring.

5. In a portable card punching device, the combination as set forth inclaim 3 wherein a pair of leaf springs are respectively disposed beneathsaid pair of rollers to provide a surface for said card to slide uponand to provide loading between said rollers and said card.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 682,197 9/1901Hollerith 83-213 X 918,412 4/1909 Anderson 83-588 X 1,266,230 5/1918Dosch 83-213 X 1,272,089 7/1918 Powers 83'633 X 1,439,184 12/1922 Meyers83-213 X 1,778,155 10/1930 Hildreth 83-633 2,146,291 2/1939 Ehrt 83-371X 2,619,172 11/1952 Flittner 83467 WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., PrimaryExaminer. J. M. MEISTER, Assistant Examiner,

1. IN A PORTABLE CARD PUNCHING DEVICE FOR PUNCHING HOLES IN A CARD, THECOMBINATION OF A HOUSING COMPRISING A CASE AND COVER, A COMPARTMENTWITHIN SAID HOUSING, AN INLET OPENING AND AN OUTLET OPENING IN SAID CASEFOR ALLOWING SAID CARD TO TRAVEL THROUGH SAID COMPARTMENT, ALONGITUDINAL BLOCK WITHIN SAID COMPARTMENT, A PLURALITY OF VERTICALRECTANGULAR OPENINGS THROUGH SAID BLOCK, A PUNCH ELEMENT WITHIN EACHOFSAID OPENINGS, EACH OF SAID PUNCH ELEMENTS COMPRISING A RECTANGULARSHANK, AN ENLARGED HEAD AT THE END OF SAID SHRANK, A COMPRESSION COILSPRING AROUND SAID SHANK BETWEEN SAID HEAD AND SAID BLOCK, A SPACEMEMBER UNDER SAID BLOCK TO RECEIVE SAID CARD, AN ANVIL UNDER SAID SPACE,SAID ANVIL HAVING RECTANGULAR OPENINGS THERETHROUGH IN ALIGNMENT WITHSAID OPENINGS IN SAID BLOCK, A PAIR OF SPACED APART END PLATES, A PAIROF PARALLEL SHAFTS BETWEEN SAID END PLATES, A PLURALITY OF LEVERS, ONEEND OF EACH OF SAID LEVERS FREELY PIVOTED ON EITHER ONE OF SAID SHAFTS,SAID LEVERS EXTENDING ACROSS SAID HEADS OF SAID PUNCH ELEMENTS, THEOPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID LEVERS RESTING ON U-SHAPED LEVER MOUNTED PIVOTALLYFREE AT ITS TERMINAL END WITHIN SAID CASE, A PLURALITY OF FIRST KEYSEXTENDING OUTWARDLY ABOVE SAID HOUSING, EACH OF SAID FIRST KEYS RESTINGON ONE OF SAID LEVERS, A SECOND KEY RESTING ON A PLATFORM AFFIXED TOSAID USHAPED LEVER, AN ADVANCING ROLLER ASSEMBLY FOR MOVING SAID CARDTHROUGH SAID COMPARTMENT, AND ADVANCING ROLLER DRIVE MECHANISM FORDRIVING SAID ROLLER ASSEMLY AND A CARD ADJUSTABLE STOP MECHANISM FORHALTING MOVEMENT OF SAID CARD.